PAPER-BASED
VS
COMPUTER-BASED

You can choose to do your Cambridge exam computer-based or paper-based.
For computer-based, all parts of the exam are done on the computer.
For paper-based, all parts are done on paper.

paperbased2

Paper-based

  • You do all parts of the exam on paper, writing by hand or circling the answer of your choice.
  • The cost is slightly lower (see the table at the bottom of this page for the prices of your level of the exam).
  • The wait for the Statement of Results is slightly longer (six to eight weeks after the exam).
  • You receive your certificate slightly later (eight to ten weeks after the exam).
computerbased1

Computer-based

  • You do all parts of the exam on the computer, typing your answers or clicking on the answer of your choice.
  • The cost is slightly higher (see the table at the bottom of this page for the prices of your level of the exam).
  • The wait for the Statement of Results is slightly shorter (two to three weeks after the exam).
  • You receive your certificate a little earlier (six to eight weeks after the exam).

Personal preference

We noticed computer-based exams are more popular than paper-based exams, but everyone has their own personal preference. A few reasons to choose computer-based over paper-based are:

  • Typing is faster than writing. Especially during the writing component of the exam, writing everything by hand can be very time-consuming. Besides, the computer counts the number of words.
  • If you have bad handwriting, you have to do your best to write legibly. That is not an issue on the computer.
  • Nowadays, computers are everywhere in our daily life. You are used to using a computer.

However, there are also a few reasons why you would choose paper-based over computer-based:

  • If you spend the whole week working at a computer, you might be happy to get away from the computer for a change and not look at a screen for a day.
  • It can feel more like a real exam when writing by hand, just like you did at school.
  • You are still in school and used to taking exams on paper.